The 1st Assembly of the Diocesan Pastoral Council began with a solemn Bible Enthronement with Fr. Michael Cabellon leading the prayer and Gospel reading taken from Luke 24:13-35 (The Emmaus Story)
His Most Rev. Ronald Lunas, DD STL warmly welcomed all the 150 participants (priests, religious and lay leaders) to this first ever Assembly of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and gave an Orientation on the Statures of the Diocesan Pastoral Council making reference to the Organigram of the Diocese of Pagadian. He clarified that the PRL Assembly will now be replaced by the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) which will be held twice a year. He then expounded on the Diocesan Pastoral Council Statutes, the purpose of which is to foster cooperation and collaboration of all the faithful to help fulfill his duties as Bishop. It is structured for dialogue and communion, participation and co-responsibility in mission between him as Diocesan Bishop and the faithful for the good of the entire flock. It contains several Sections namely: 1) Creation 2) Function and Membership 3) Tenure of Office 4) Officers 5) Commissions/Committees 6) Meetings 7) Agenda 8) Expenses and Oath 9) Cessation of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
From the Lay Formation Center, the assembly moved to the cathedral for the Eucharistic Celebration which was concelebrated by all the priests present. In his homily, Bishop Bong emphasized the Gospel mandate of the Lord Jesus when he spoke to his disciples: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mk. 16:15). The call to announce the Good News of the reign of God is for all. It is not exclusive to a select few but we as people of faith are summoned to journey together in this task of spreading God’s love in our here and now as what Pope Francis pointed out in the Synod on Synodality where each one is valued, listened to and appreciated in the formidable task of bringing to life God’s plan of salvation for all humankind.
The afternoon session was time spent for Commissions Meeting and Consultation. There were thirteen clusters in all: 1) Commission on Clergy 2) Consecrated Life 3) Formation 4) Worship/Liturgy 5) Social Action 6) Youth 7) Catholic Schools 8) Family Life Apostolate 9) Inter religious Dialogue/Ecumenism 10) Vocation 11) Parish Workers 12) LOMAS 13) B.E.C. Each commission came up with their initial plans in order to strengthen their respective commission. They also discussed among themselves at least five pertinent concerns that they need to focus on. They also enumerated five recommendations that needs to be taken up during the Diocesan Synod within their scope and beyond.
After a heartwarming time of sharing and discussion, the assembly ended with a closing prayer where each one lighted a candle as a sign of the light of the Risen Lord that is shining for others to see. In the same manner, the Bishop prayed that all of those present will also be a light to the world especially to the faithful here in the Diocese of Pagadian.
Grateful to the generosity of Rev. Fr. Allan Onden of the Santo Nino Cathedral, the staff, secretariat and all those who made this first ever Diocesan Pastoral Assembly a successful one. Daghang Salamat sa tanan ug Padayon ta sa atong panaw isip usa ka katilingban sa Diyosesis sa Pagadian!
